According to Valerius Maximus, Diogenes answered: "To this later, for now I just want you not to stand in the sun." The statement by Alexander, "if I were not Alexander the Great, I would like to be Diogenes," also crops up in some other versions of the anecdote. According to Cicero, Diogenes answered Alexander with the words, "Now move at least a little out of the sun". There are many minor variants of what Diogenes is supposed to have replied to Alexander. And when that monarch addressed him with greetings, and asked if he wanted anything, "Yes," said Diogenes, "stand a little out of my sun." It is said that Alexander was so struck by this, and admired so much the haughtiness and grandeur of the man who had nothing but scorn for him, that he said to his followers, who were laughing and jesting about the philosopher as they went away, "But truly, if I were not Alexander, I wish I were Diogenes." Diogenes raised himself up a little when he saw so many people coming towards him, and fixed his eyes upon Alexander. But since that philosopher took not the slightest notice of Alexander, and continued to enjoy his leisure in the suburb Craneion, Alexander went in person to see him, and he found him lying in the sun. Thereupon many statesmen and philosophers came to Alexander with their congratulations, and he expected that Diogenes of Sinope also, who was tarrying in Corinth, would do likewise. As told by Diogenes Laërtius, Diogenes replied, "Stand out of my light." Plutarch provides a longer version of the story, which begins after Alexander arrives in Corinth: Alexander wanted to fulfill a wish for Diogenes and asked him what he desired. The original anecdote Īlexander and Diogenes, lithograph illustration by Louis Loeb in Century Magazine, 1898Īccording to legend, Alexander the Great came to visit the philosopher Diogenes of Sinope.
Several of the embellished versions of the anecdote do not name either one or both of the protagonists, and some indeed substitute Socrates for Diogenes. Versions upon versions of the anecdote exist, with the origins of most appearing to be, either directly or indirectly, in the account of the meeting given by Plutarch, whose actual historicity has also been questioned. The literature and artwork influenced by this story are extensive. Although this coincidence is suspect (since neither man's date of death can be conclusively verified), the anecdote, and the relationship between the two people, has been the subject of many literary and artistic works over the centuries, from the writings of Diogenes Laërtius to David Pinski's 1930 dramatic reconstruction of the encounter, Aleḳsander un Dyogenes including writings from the Middle Ages, several works of Henry Fielding, and possibly even Shakespeare's King Lear along the way. Plutarch and Diogenes Laërtius report that Alexander and Diogenes died on the same day, in 323 BC. The most popular relate it as evidence of Diogenes' disregard for authority, wealth, and decorum. The meeting of Diogenes of Sinope and Alexander the Great is one of the most discussed anecdotes from philosophical history.
#Diogenes alexander the great quote plus
Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.Alexander visits Diogenes in Corinth - Diogenes asks him to stand out of his sun (engraving)
#Diogenes alexander the great quote series
About the Series For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. The contrasting teachings of the Cyrenaic school, founded by Aristippos, a pleasure-loving friend of Socrates, complete the volume, together with a selection of apocryphal letters. This unique edition also covers his immediate successors, such as Crates, his wife Hipparchia, and the witty moral preacher Bion. He scorned the conventions of civilized life, and his ascetic lifestyle and caustic opinions informed the Cynic philosophy and later influenced Stoicism.
His biting wit and eccentric behavior were legendary, and it was by means of his renowned aphorisms that his moral teachings were transmitted. Diogenes the Cynic is famed for walking the streets with a lamp in daylight, looking for an honest man.
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